The companies are testing a program providing free installation of Latch's keyless technology for lobby entrances in 1,000 city buildings, said Luke Schoenfelder, Latch co-founder and chief executive. Focused initially in Brooklyn and Manhattan, the program aims to smooth out the logistical hassles of shopping online for the many urban residents who don’t have building staff to accept deliveries when they aren't home.

“People are ordering so many things online,” Schoenfelder said. “Access is holding that back because you need to be home in order for that to happen.”

Latch’s hardware and software system allows entry using methods such as a passcode, smartphone or a smart card. Delivery personnel will be able to use temporary passcodes generated with Jet.com orders to enter lobbies and drop off online purchases. The program, reported earlier in TechCrunch, could reach 100,000 people and allow the companies to test this type of keyless entry on a large scale.

Jet.com’s teams have been working on ways to reduce online shopping difficulties faced by urban apartment dwellers. Jet.com, which is based in Hoboken, N.J., has many employees who live in urban areas and face similar issues, said Sumaiya Balbale, vice president of marketing for Jet.com.